GROWING A BUSINESS

PEOPLE & SYSTEMS

A growing business needs the right people, and the right systems, to keep it on track. Read tips on structuring your business, developing business strategies, and creating business systems to avoid problems. Find out how to recruit staff, develop and retain the best employees, and create a culture of constant business improvement in your workplace.

The opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and not those of Optus. The articles on this website contain general information only and are not intended to be relied on as legal, financial or professional advice. Readers should seek their own advice based on their specific business [or personal] needs.

10 lessons from the dotcom bust

March marks a decade since the beginning of the end for the dotcom bubble. On March 10, 2000, the technology-heavy NASDAQ sharemarket index peaked at 5048.62 - double its valuation of a year earlier

The eight new rules of customer service

The Australian economy might have sailed through the recession relatively unscathed, but don't think that customers haven't been changed by the GFC.

The next 10 online trends

It's never been harder to keep up with the latest web trends - with the expansion onto mobile platforms, the growth of social media and the need for start ups to be aware of new SEO techniques.

Decoding the new Commercialisation Australia grants program

Adrian Spencer, chief executive of grant consultancy GrantReady, is gearing up for a big year.

Do you have the right board?

Boards of directors don't work for everyone. Some people need them, some have to have them due to external investment conditions and others should steer clear of them.

10 ways to test your business

Constantly testing your business is not being paranoid. It's essential. Here are 10 strategies to really get to know how healthy your business is, beyond the balance sheet.

I've given my employees the opportunity to do a fun project in work time, but no one has submitted an idea. What's wrong?

To jump start innovation, I've given my employees the opportunity to do a fun project in work time, but no one has submitted an idea. What's wrong?

Building the best team for your business

The construction industry is often the hardest hit in an economic crisis -- and many will be all-too-familiar with the pain of having not enough work and too many idle hands.

Compliance - a crucial region of your business

Compliance with government rules and regulations is an important and complex issue for small business, especially for those in regional areas where easy access to technical advisory resources may sometimes be difficult.

Regional bride wars

Regional weddings are big business - solid management strategies are key to keeping brides from becoming Bridezillas!

Game on

When faced with a challenge, people who use systems to seek a solution can save your business. To most normal people, Rob Murray would seem like a bit of a contradiction.

Regional management strategies made simple

At the heart of good management in regional business is vision. But it doesn't end there - it's about getting employees, suppliers and customers to buy into your brand, to buy into your vision. Lisa Lovett has set up shop showcasing Orange's regiona

A good local drop Printhie Wines

Orange-based Printhie Wines is a family-owned business and no stranger to awards. Dubbed by James Halliday in the Australian Wine Competition as the "premier winery of the Orange region", it has continued to grow at a rapid rate, garnering plenty of

Bake up a great regional business

Most regional businesses would agree if you want to be heard, your message needs to be loud and clear.

How to poach your competitors' best staff

The aftermath of the global financial crisis has left employees under-appreciated, frustrated and ready to move on. Recruitment companies and forecasters predict a mass exodus of workers over the next few months as declining unemployment gives them c

Keeping your talent

The state of the workforce is changing. Employees who were considering a career move in 2009, but stayed put due to job security fears, are now feeling confident enough to begin looking for new lines of work.

Systemised trading

Feel like you're explaining things over and over to staff and nothing is sinking in? Or are they each completing the same task with different outcomes and you don't know why? I'll tell you why. You need to get systemised.

The entrepreneur's to do list

So many businesses start the New Year with grand plans for improvement, but far fewer actually implement those plans. Don't let the start of a New Year go by without taking action. Here are 10 items that should be on the top of every entrepreneur's t

Taking care of business with simple systems

No matter how small your business, well-planned systems can help you show you mean business. To prove the point, let's turn to a small business doing big things.

Pipeline to success

One of the greatest challenges for tradespeople as well as engineers, architects, surveyors and others is that they're usually good at their job. Customers love them, they're perfectionists and become hard to replace. It's fine in the start up stage

Order in the house

It's important to be organised so that you can keep your business under control. Here are some tips to ensure your business runs smoothly.

The art of prospecting...

As the economy recovers, it's time to get out of the bunker and get on the front foot to win new customers...

Support crew

One of the greatest problems of home-based businesses is often a major issue for all small businesses, and it's called isolation.

Playing for keeps

Some business owners ignore the importance of trade marks, and especially in the online world, its crucial that you know the rules.

Order in the house

It's important to be organised so that you can keep your business under control. Below are some tips to ensure your business runs smoothly.

Please close the gate

afety in the workplace is a big issue, and one that needs to be addressed urgently.

Turning a vision into reality

Business ideas sometimes come completely from left field. Making that idea or vision become a reality is often the hardest part

Don't let Business Burn You Out

Business operators run high on adrenalin. Being self-sufficient, self-fulfilling and self-directed can take its toll and it's easy to run low on the things that keep the 'self' going!

If not systems, then what?

I hear it all the time from people who want to grow their business. "I know I need to do some work ON my business, but I just don't have the time - how can I find the time?"

When you're on a good thing, stick to it

Do you find it hard to keep staff? Do you have staff you'd rather not keep? Motivating staff can help keep the ones you want, and possibly even help you get more out of the non-performers.

You're hired!

Your recruitment strategy and ongoing employee development is integral to attracting and retaining the right people for your business.

Get rid of weakness

Successful business owners understand the importance of being proactive about improving their weaknesses.

Run for cover

Business owners are being warned to lock up their businesses properly with a crime wave targeting smaller operators. And the favourite targets of thieves are computers.

View from the top

In the age of increasing competition and a labour market as tight as the proverbial drum, the highly enlightened business leader has to create a special workplace for employee retention and attraction purposes.

Age is no barrier if attitude is right

How do you really feel about employing older people? Many people in business are reluctant to employ anyone over the age of 45 and older workers are often the first to go when a company cuts back.

Waste not, want not

Ever heard of the saying 'waste not, want not'? With the environment a concern for us all, it needs to be acknowledged that big business does make an effort to go 'green'.

Bindi and the family business

Australian exports are major contributors to the economy and could benefit your business. One of Australia's major exports is tourism.

Legally blonde

A prominent Sydney hairdresser knows blondes have more fun, but protecting intellectual property is no laughing matter.

Who owns it?

Protecting Intellectual Property is crucial to any growing business, whether it be to protect your work or your brand name.

Love shack

When you put people together in a work place you can be pretty sure that relationships will develop. This might be great for the couples, but not always good for your business.

Systemise your business

Introducing and developing systems can assist in organising your business. Here are some tips to create great systems that will help your business grow

Tips on how to get the best from staff

There are ways you can encourage your employees to achieve the best they can - for their own growth and for that of your business.

Flow-on benefits

Imagine finding plumbers who are so professional that they have created their own systems to minimise mistakes and maximise customer satisfaction.

Time poor

Sometimes it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day. Here are some tips to help organise your time effectively.

Dealing with big businesses

Introducing and developing systems can help organize your business, saving you time and money and helping it to grow.

Interviewing tips

You've written an ad for a new position in your business and had a number of respondents. Now you're at the interviewing stage and it's time to pick the person that will fit in best.

The Essential Ingredient

Hiring a new person for your business can be a daunting experience. Here are some tips and processes to consider before you take that step and get people in for their interview.

In the zone

Many business owners are under a lot of pressure which can lead to high levels of stress.

The referral

Asking your current customers and clients to recommend your business to others is one of the best ways to get more business. Here is a Q&A about this important technique.

Call on the experts

Working ON your business is important to allow it to grow, but many business owners say they just don't have the time.

Beating the clock

Most business owners need more time in their day. Here are a few timesaving techniques that will let you concentrate on growing your business.

Switzer's Hint

The truly greats of mankind's history never became great by accident or by doing it the easy way: "Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh

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Switzer's Hint